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Menopause Treatment Options

Menopause occurs when the natural production of estrogen in the female body slows down. As estrogen production slows down, the body stops producing eggs and the uterine lining stops shedding. Your menstrual period begins to become irregular, and when you have gone for 12 months or longer without a menstrual period, you are said to be post-menopausal. Menopause can have a number of different symptoms while you re going through it, and post-menopausal women may be at a higher risk of osteoporosis, since higher estrogen levels in the body can help stave off osteoporosis.

  1. Hot Flashes

    • Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms of menopause. There are a number of different treatment options for treating hot flashes. Hormone therapy, including estrogen supplements, can help prevent hot flashes (as well as other symptoms of menopause including irritability and depression). Hormone therapy has some side effects, though, including vaginal bleeding and an increased risk of certain cancers.

      Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRI's) also may help to treat hot flashes. These SRI medications are normally used in the treatment of depression, and they affect the level of serotonin produced by the body. Some of these low dose anti-depressants, including venlafaxine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, citalopram and sertraline are recommended by the Mayo Clinic to treat hot flashes.

    Vaginal Dryness

    • Vaginal dryness is another common side effect associated with menopause. This side effect can be especially troubling to some women because it can also result in a lower sex drive. Estrogen creams can be used to treat vaginal dryness, but these creams may carry the same risks as oral hormonal supplements. The estrogen creams can come in the form of topical creams or a ring or tablet inserted into the vagina. These estrogen creams also can help relieve urinary difficulty that may be associated with menopause.

    Osteoprosis

    • When estrogen levels drop in menopause, the risk of osteoporosis rises dramatically. Estrogen supplements can help minimize this increased risk of osteoporosis, but again there is the risk of both vaginal bleeding and an increased risk of cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, several other medications are available to help prevent menopause-related osteoporosis and manage the increased risk. Bisphosphonates and selective estrogen receptor modulators are both oral drugs that can help prevent bone fractures and maintain bone strength. Neither medication has the side effects that are often associated with estrogen therapy, and according to the Mayo Clinic, they have replaced estrogen as the drug of choice for osteoporosis risk management.

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